About SWA Paws

SWA Paws began in May of 2025 when a small group of local residents learned a hard truth: Nashville Animal Control had an 82% euthanasia rate, meaning an average of 2.5 dogs were being put down every single day. That number wasn’t just alarming—it was unacceptable.

Rather than look away, we came together. A handful of us decided to go to the city, ask serious questions, and push for change. What started as a concerned conversation quickly turned into a mission. We realized that if we didn’t step in, no one would—and the animals would continue paying the price.

Our Foundation

SWA Paws was built on three simple beliefs:

• Every animal deserves a chance.

• Shelter outcomes can change when a community gets involved.

• Transparency, accountability, and compassion are non-negotiable.

We are a grassroots group—ordinary people who refused to accept an 82% kill rate as the standard for our town. We began organizing fosters, coordinating vet care, finding rescues, rehoming dogs, and advocating for better shelter practices. And since forming in May of 2025, we have worked directly with local leadership to shape policies that save lives instead of ending them.

What We Stand For

At SWA Paws, we believe every animal deserves a chance. Our commitment is simple:

• Reduce euthanasia rates in Southwest Arkansas by advocating for responsible policies, supporting animal control, and providing life-saving care.

• Promote spay and neuter to break the cycle of unwanted litters and overcrowding.

• Provide medical support, vaccinations, and healthy starts for shelter animals who often arrive sick, malnourished, or neglected.

• Partner with fosters, rescues, and adopters so animals can move from danger to safety.

• Bring transparency and accountability to how our community treats its homeless pets.

• Build a stronger, more compassionate future for our local towns and rural areas where resources are limited but the need is great.